Much ballyhooed Hatsu Hioki embracing nervous energy ahead of UFC 137

http://mmajunkie.comOnce he came out form behind the curtain and walked onto the stage at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, the magnitude of the situation hit Hatsu Hioki like a ton of bricks.

The highly touted UFC newcomer brings with him a championship pedigree, a wealth of experience, and the collective interest of a nation.

But the spectacle of his first UFC weigh-in ceremony left the Japanese fighter in a state of nervous awe.

Hioki (24-4-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC), the former featherweight titleholder of World Victory Road’s Sengoku event series, meets upset specialist George Roop (12-7-1 MMA, 2-3 UFC) on the pay-per-view main card of tonight’s UFC 137 event in Vegas. Soon after the 28-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt hit the scale at 145 pounds, he headed to the MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio) booth to discuss his UFC and U.S. debut.

With a 12-1-1 record over his past 14 fights – and the lone loss coming via split decision to current UFC fighter Michihiro Omigawa at a 2009 Sengoku event – Hioki is one of the world’s top featherweight fighters. But he was blown away that so many American fans already knew of his overseas exploits.

“I was surprised,” Hioki told MMAjunkie.com Radio in his quickly improving English. “I didn’t expect so many people to know me. I really didn’t expect that.

“It was my first time … having so many people watch my weigh-ins like that, so I was real nervous, (but) I was having a good time.”

A lean featherweight, Hioki had little weight to cut. Many have pondered if he’ll eventually move to bantamweight, but Hioki said he’s committed to his current division. And why not? He has a track record of success, and with the UFC, the highly ranked fighter could be just a win or two away from a title shot with current champ Jose Aldo.

And though some have labeled Hioki the No. 2 fighter in the world behind the champ, he’s not so sure.

“I don’t know,” he said. “It’s for the media to decide; it’s not for me to decide. There are many great fighters in the division. I just want (the opportunity) to prove I’m the strongest.”

Roop, a 6-foot-1 fighter who’s fought as heavy as lightweight and as light as bantamweight, upset Chan Sung Jung a year ago, and he scored a vicious body-punch knockout of onetime top contender Josh Grispi in June. He’s also fighting for the first time since the death of his trainer, Shawn Tompkins, and said he’s as focused as ever.

Despite being a heavy favorite, Hioki knows the UFC is doing him no favors with the matchup. Although many of his fellow countrymen have faltered once they join the UFC ranks, he believes his 28-fight resume and decade of experience will make him the exception rather than the rule. Still, nerves are part of the game.

“[My past] experiences help my confidence,” said Hioki, who’s had a six-month layoff from competition. “But I have trained for this fight for so many hours, and I don’t want to rust easy. That’s what I’m afraid of.

“I train every day. Sometimes I rest on Sundays, but usually every day, (I train) two or three hours in the morning and two or three hours in the evening.”

Inspired by an early Rickson Gracie fight, Hioki quickly devoted his life to MMA. He graduated only from junior high school before he began his fighting career and teaching at Alive Gym. He’s also spent some time this year with Tristar Gym – where he’s done training with UFC welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre – and this past year, he worked with the Gracie Academy in Torrance, Calif.

Still, his heart and his fans lie in Japan. He knows they’ll be up early to watch his fight tonight, and he’s determined to represent his country well.

“They are very excited to see me fight in the UFC,” he said. “They hope I win. It’s a lot of pressure on me, but I’m excited. I’m excited to show the fans what I can do.”

MMAjunkie.com Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by Gorgeous George, MMAjunkie.com lead staff reporter John Morgan and producer Goze. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.

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